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Flora Teckie
EVERY child has unique gifts and potentialities. And as parents and teachers it is our sacred responsibility and privilege to educate the children intellectually and spiritually, support them to grow through life’s many challenges and help them turn the tests in life into victories.
In the words of the Universal House of Justice, the governing council of the Bahá’í International Community: “Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community do or fail to do with respect to children”.
Our love for children, the manner of treating them, the quality of the attention we show them and in general the spirit of adult behaviour toward them are very important in shaping their future.
The first training, which children receive, is at home and is the strongest foundation for their future development. It is important for a child to grow up in a loving family, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, and in a home environment enhanced by our love for God and motivation to follow His laws.
The positive values that are to guide children throughout their lives are formed during the early years of their lives under the shadow of their families. The degree to which children form healthy relationships with others is also determined during that important period.
It is in the family that children learn to love, to be tolerant and to act with justice. According to the Bahá’í Writings: “… it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be laid. While the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight”.
Both spiritual and intellectual education are essential for our children to develop to their full potential and for them to be equipped to contribute socially and spiritually to the advancement of our communities. However, special emphasis should be placed on spiritual education; on cultivating tolerance, love, brotherhood, a belief in the oneness of humanity, compassion, understanding, sacrifice, humility, trustworthiness and commitment to justice.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “… from the very beginning, the children must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember their God. Let the love of God pervade their inmost being, commingled with their mother’s milk,” and“schools must first train the children in the principles of religion, … but this in such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry.”
Infusing in our children the love of God and guiding them spiritually can help to instil in them good behaviour. Spiritual guidance plays an important role in facilitating a spirit of cooperation and harmony as well as of service to others.
Combining science and religion, belief and reason can help free our children from religious fanaticism and superstitions.
Placing emphasis on learning to think, rather than following adults out of fear, to reflect and reason, rather than to imitate, can motivate them to apply the spiritual laws with understanding and conviction.
It is our responsibility and privilege to assist our children to realize their potentialities through spiritual and intellectual education. Let us take advantage of their youthful energy and channel it into learning, as the habits learnt in childhood become part of their daily action for a lifetime. Let us remember that our children are our most precious treasure in life.
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Online Reporter